(File Photo/paNOW Staff)

By Jaryn Vecchio

Provincial Budget

P.A. getting new K-12 francophone school

Mar 22, 2023 | 5:10 PM

Prince Albert is getting a new school.

The province announced as part of the 2023-24 budget funding to officially replace École Valois with a new K-12 Francophone school.

The Government of Saskatchewan did not state how much the project will cost, but said in an email to paNOW that they’re working on getting the exact numbers.

The Conseil des écoles fransaskoises (CÉF) said they’re excited to see the project move forward.

“We wish to express our gratitude to the provincial government,” said Alpha Barry, Chair of the Conseil Scolaire Fransaskois (CSF).

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The province has yet to specify when the new school will officially be open. However, the CÉF is hoping it’ll be operational by the 2025 school year.

Many people in the community and the CÉF have been advocating for this change for several years. Parents of students who currently and in the past attended École Valois have been calling for the school to move from its current location as janitors have had to do regular needle checks around the school grounds.

“The journey is not always a straight line, but what matters is reaching the destination,” added Ronald Ajavon, the CEO and Director of Education for the CÉF.

Meanwhile, the French-Canadian Society of Prince Albert is holding a board meeting Wednesday night with the new K-12 school expected to be the main topic of discussion.

—

Jaryn.Vecchio@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @princealbertnow